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EAST LANSING — Blake Bueter had every reason to commit to Central Michigan over Michigan State when he was choosing colleges. The Chippewas offered him a full scholarship, and the only opportunity available from the Spartans was to walk on.

But Bueter grew up a Spartan, and his father, Frederick Bueter, wore the green and white. So when Bueter had the chance to walk-on at Michigan State, he said the decision was already made for him. From Howell, Bueter spurned in-state Central Michigan, who the Spartans face on Saturday to wrap up non-conference play (noon, FS1).

“It’s just good to know I can be contributing to this team and helping out,” Bueter said. “Help to win games and actually get some meaningful playing time at the next level, which has been a dream of mine.”

Bueter, a 6-foot-4, 308-pound offensive lineman, has primarily played at the guard positions thus far. In high school at Novi Detroit Catholic Central, he played on both the offensive and defensive lines.

As a part of the offensive line rotation, Bueter played for a few drives to open the season against Utah State and Arizona State. Facing the Hoosiers, he got his extended playing time. With a banged-up offensive line, offensive line coach Mark Staten said he leaned on the former walk-on to play meaningful snaps.

“He’s going to put it all out there,” Staten said on Wednesday. “Played his most snaps last week, and just continues to learn and you need those game reps to learn. So he’s going to play a lot of football for us.”

Bueter was showered with a slew of tweets and praise from teammates when Dantonio gave him the scholarship. He shared the moment with long snapper Ryan Armour, both of whom earned a scholarship that day.

“All the offensive linemen, especially, feel like Blake earned a scholarship during camp and during the summer,” offensive lineman Tyler Higby said. “We kind of have the feeling that at some point it was coming for him, we just didn't know when. We’re all really happy for him.”

It’s not just Bueter who lives up to that standard. Offensive tackle Cole Chewins and defensive end Kenny Willekes were once walk-ons and now starters in the trenches.

Indiana head coach Tom Allen, right, leads his team onto the field along with Indiana men's basketball coach Archie Miller, left, prior to the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 22, 2018 in Bloomington, Ind. Marc Lebryk, USA TODAY Sports

Whenever a walk-on does get that coveted scholarship, though, it’s a special moment, one teammates rally around. Viral videos of walk-on players earning a scholarship often circulate around the Internet.

Blair White, who played at Michigan State from 2006-09 and played for the Indianapolis Colts for two years, earned his scholarship his junior year. During Javon Ringer’s senior speech, he praised White for his work ethic and low-key demeanor. Then moments later, Dantonio handed the wide receiver his scholarship.

“It caught me by surprise, and everyone cheered,” White said during a phone interview Wednesday. “Besides getting married and having kids, it’s right up there as one of the happiest and emotional moments of my life.”

Though it’s not always that easy. In the spring of 2016, when Willekes — still with a head full of long hair — found out he earned his scholarship, Dantonio proposed a trade.

“He said, ‘I’m going to give you something in exchange for something,’” Willekes said with a laugh. “He cut my hair, and gave me the scholarship. He took more than I expected, but it was worth it.”

Bueter looks to continue seeing snaps on the offensive line. He said at this point in his career, he's still adjusting to game speed at the college level. And while he’s no longer a walk-on, he said he’ll keep working like he still is.

“Seeing how those guys could come in as walk-ons and prove their worth and actually get some good playing time, it shows our coaches can develop players really well and give us a good chance," Bueter said.

“It shows that they don’t really play favorites either. Whether you’re on scholarship or not, they always give you a fair chance to get on the field.”